Israeli quits Everest quest to rescue Turkish climber

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An Israeli climbing Mount Everest abandoned his quest to reach the top in order to rescue a Turkish climber.

Nadav Ben Yehuda, 24, was evacuated from the mountain along with the injured Turkish climber without scaling the last 300 yards to the top, Israel Radio reported May 22. Ben Yehuda would have become the youngest Israeli to reach the mountain’s summit.

Ben Yehuda suffered frostbite in his fingers during the rescue and could lose one or more fingers, according to reports.

Four climbers died last weekend on the way down after reaching Everest’s summit. It was the first weekend of weather clear enough to attempt the summit for this climbing season, and the long wait resulted in overcrowding near the top. — jta